Chuhai Labs

Chuhai Labs is an independent video game developer and publisher based in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in October 2020, it operates as the creative studio brand and commercial publishing division of VITEI BACKROOM Inc. Its work focuses on original games, offbeat concepts and distinctive gameplay mechanics across PC, home consoles, virtual reality and alternative handheld hardware.

The studio combines game design and software engineering with art and animation direction, production, platform compliance and distribution. Its capabilities span full-cycle development, console and PC porting, optimization, and VR and mixed reality development. This breadth supports projects built around both familiar control systems and hardware with unusual interaction methods.

Games and platforms

Chuhai Labs developed Cursed to Golf, the roguelike golfing adventure released in August 2022 in collaboration with publisher Thunderful Games. The game brought its golfing mechanics to PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Its VR work includes Carve Snowboarding, developed for Meta Quest in 2021.

The studio also developed Whitewater Wipeout and Carve Jr. for Panic’s crank-operated Playdate handheld. Whitewater Wipeout formed part of the platform’s Season One launch lineup, while these handheld projects demonstrate the studio’s interest in designing around unconventional hardware.

Its portfolio further includes the retro-inspired aerial rail shooter Wild Blue Skies and multiplayer arena dodgeball game Grave Dodgers, with development and publishing credits on both projects. Chuhai Labs also published the Nintendo Switch port of Halloween Forever in 2021, extending its work beyond internally developed games.

Across these projects, the studio works in sports, action and arcade-inspired formats, combining original game creation with publishing and multiplatform delivery. Its output encompasses compact handheld experiences, VR sports and games distributed across mainstream PC and console storefronts.